Kiwi will coach Kings

New Zealander Matt Sexton will coach the Southern Kings in their debut season in Super Rugby next year.

According to the Metro newspaper’s website, Sexton will be taking up the position of Head Coach for both the Super Rugby and Currie Cup divisions of the Kings as of July this year.

He will take over the reins from current EP Kings Head Coach, Alan Solomons, who will become the Kings’ Director of Rugby.

EP Kings spokesperson, Sakhi Gqeba, confirmed that Sexton signed a two year contract, which relieves former Springbok prop Robbie Kempson of his dual coaching role, allowing Kempson to concentrate on the EP Academy.

Sexton, 41, will be joined by another Kiwi, Brad Mooar, who will take up the position of Specialist Skills Coach. Mooar is currently the head coach of the Canterbury U19’s.

Former Border wing David Maidza will be Sexton’s assistant, with former Springbok centre De Wet Barry remaining in his position as defence specialist.

Sexton played 128 games for Canterbury. He also played in Europe with leading Irish province Ulster, where he was coached by Solomons.

He is currently the Rugby Academy Manager of the Tasman provincial team in New Zealand.

Solomons said the union is happy with its decision.

“Matt is head and shoulders the right guy for Eastern Province rugby. He is a good man and has the capability to land up coaching New Zealand.

“I personally vouch for Matt Sexton as he possesses the exact character traits that we are looking for in EP Rugby – Integrity, Altruism and Professionalism,” Solomons told MyPE.co.za – a community news website in Port Elizabeth.